NORTHERN LIGHTS
AURORA BOREALIS

A tutorial for coloured pencil artists

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​Paper Used: Daler Rowney Canford Black
​Pencil ranges Used: Main: Prismacolor Premier 
Additional products used: Derwent Metallic pencils & Sakura gelly pen

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This tutorial provides a way to draw effortlessly using coloured pencils, especially if you are new to the medium. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is an amazing phenomenon that occurs when charged particles of the sun interact with atoms of the upper atmosphere. Images of the borealis are spectacular, and it is a dramatic subject to recreate. You can achieve excellent results without any previous experience in the medium. To keep the tutorial easy, you only need six colors. Simply leave yourself open and expressive throughout. The secret is the efficacy of layers, and less precision. The blending process will stimulate your work prior to adding fine details of trees and stars.

We use the Prismacolor Premier pencils and the Daler Rowney Canford black paper in this tutorial. Your products do not need to be a precise match. Select colours from your own collection that look very similar to those used here. You can substitute Canford paper with another smooth black paper.

The reference image can be found below, which you can screen grab and print out or view on a tablet whilst reading the instructions on a smartphone or computer.

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This tutorial was originally created for the Colored pencil Magazine 'Workshop series' from April 2022 and has been reproduced here for inclusion in my mini tutorial sections. 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you would like to request a subject for inclusion of a future tutorial, please get in touch!

REFERENCE IMAGE

The products you will need

1. Indent/Embossing tool
2. Sakura Gelly pen - Shimmer (Optional)
3. Sakura Gelly pen - White
4. Colourless Blender
5. Pencil Sharpener
6. Soft Brush
7. Prismacolor Premier pencils
     - Black (PC935)
     - White (PC938)
     - Apple Green (PC912)
     - Grass Green (PC909)
     - True Blue (PC903)
     - Violet Blue (PC933)
8. Derwent Metallic (Optional)
      - Yellow (08)
      - Bronze (05)

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Colour chart

​We keep the colours in this tutorial to a minimum since it is much easier to create light and dark values by mixing and mixing. We used the Prismacolor Premier range, the Derwent Metallic and the Sakura Gelly roll pen. The metallics and the gelly roll pen are both optional and you can use a brand you own. Simply select the pencils that match the colours in the chart below, but it is not necessary that they are accurate.
*If you do not have a embossing tool, you may use a sharp object such as a wooden skewer.

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IMPORTANT TIPS:  
* Ensure your pencils are sharp before you begin as this will allow for finer hair and create a more realistic look.​
* When applying your undertones at the beginning, use a blunt pencil to avoid harsh lines so you can soften them easily when blending.
*  To avoid transferring natural oils onto your drawing from your hands, have a clean sheet of paper to lean on whilst applying colour.  Natural Oils from your skin can damage your artwork which you may not be able to repair.
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Masking Tape

​By applying masking tape around the edges of your paper before you start, gives a clean edge around your drawing. Be aware, however, that the tape may pull on the fibres of the paper during its removal, so remove the tape gradually.

Shooting star

Begin your design with the shooting star. Use a ruler to determine a straight line. Put the metallic bronze on the upper part and fill the rest of the line with the metallic yellow. Use normal colours if metallic pencils are not available. Finally, use the white pen or a white pencil, to thin both ends and add an accent to the centre point of the yellow line. Why not add a bit of glitter along the line using the Gelly roll shimmer pen (if you have one).

Embossing

Using the ruler again, run the tip of your embossing/indent tool along the line. This will push the colour into the paper surface and keep it clean for the remainder of the process. The metal point of the embossing/indent tool is available in various sizes, so make sure you use the correct width.

When working with black paper, there is no need for heavy layers. A moderate application will provide ample colour, and soft layers are easier to manipulate, especially during the blending process. You may have to exert more pressure as you add more layers, but avoid saturating your paper too early. Keep your application loose and administer your colour using the polished side of the lead rather than the point. This creates soft strokes that are easier to smooth when blending. It may seem rather disorderly during the early stages, but once you begin defining the detail, it becomes more efficacious.
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Outline

Use colour pencils to build the contour rather than using a graphite pencil. Use a combination of light and dark green and blue to create the outline. On black paper, you do not need to exert much pressure, and it is easier to erase if you make a mistake.

Blocking in

With the Violet Blue tone, loosely apply in the areas this colour can be seen. When finished, follow up with the dark green (Grass Green). Use the reference image as guidance. Ensure consistent application along the way. 

Blocking in continued

Continue blocking the colour with lighter green (apple green). Introduce highlights using the True Blue, concentrating around the edges where the greens transition into the deep blue sky.  

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Layering

Since both greens are similar, this image offers a better view of areas treated with lighter green tone. We added a lighter dusting to distinguish between the dark and light tones as it is difficult to determine in the previous photo.

Highlighting

With a sharp pencil, add the white highlights. Apply vertical lines with increased pressure to lighten tonality. Reduce pressure on the pencil when a softer application is needed.

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Highlighting - On the easel

This image illustrates how I applied my layers. If you use soft pencils, you'll have to sharpen your pencil more often. Wipe off excess pigment from the end of your pencil between applications.

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Values

Apply black accents to the dark blue sky. Begin from the top and work downward. Create darker values over the green areas using the black pencil. You only need apply a light pressure to generate a deeper tone.

First Blend

Provide additional highlights using True Blue. Again, focus them around the edges where the green and deep blue shades meet.  If you want soft edges when overlapping other colours, loosen the pressure of the pencil. When done, blend your work with a blender pencil. Apply with circular motions to obtain the most effective blend.

Green warm tones

With apple green, introduce a few warm accents overlapping highlights. Create effortless transitions by releasing pressure on your pencil around the edges. This makes it easier to soften during the next blending session.

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Highlighting

Increase the depth of the white highlights by applying more pressure with your pencil. As you enter the final steps, you may need to exert more pressure with your pencil. Remember, you only have to illuminate the green tones rather than saturate them with the white tone. Keeping the tip of your pencil clean, will provide more opacity.

Final Blend

If you wish to add in any extra detail or colours, this is the time to do so. Your art should look more distinctive now, but for more realism, it should be treated with the pencil blender one last time. Use circular motions to improve efficiency.

Adding trees

Fill in the black trees found in the lower corners of the scene. Due to all the layers you have applied in the course of this drawing, you will need to apply firm pressure to obtain maximum coverage.

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Trees

If blended accurately, your pencil lines will appear far smoother which will provide more authenticity. Ensure you are happy with your drawing before you begin the final stage.

Stars

Using the white gelly roll pen, add the stars. Place multiple dots all over your drawing, to represent them. Prevent uniformity by varying their size. If you do not have a gelly roll pen, any other opaque product will suffice. Press a finger over the pigment whilst partially dry, to soften the colour. You may also wish to add a little sparkle to your drawing, by using the shimmer gelly pen too.

Finished portrait

Here is our final drawing. Why not send us a copy of your own interpretation. We would love to add it to this page and create an online gallery. It is always nice to see the character and uniqueness of each piece.

Understanding the process of layers, helps you accomplish form and definition in your work. The use of a blender to soften your pencil lines, contributes to smoother tonal transitions. Providing a balance of bright and dark values in your work, will achieve greater realism. It is more desirable to integrate your own artistic style, rather than make a carbon copy, using our tutorial as a guide. Your art will be much more meaningful and engaging as well.​

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Please email your drawing to us via: 
[email protected]
​so we can add it to a gallery on this page. ​

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From April 2022. Click to purchase the digital magazine, which also includes this tutorial. This is priced at £2.99/$3.99

​Tutorial created: February 2022